Window shade and process of making



Dec. 15, 1936. N 2,064,165

WINDOW SHADE AND PROCESS OF MAKING Filed NOV. 30, 1954 mvsm-onA1"TORNEYS Patented Dec. 15, 1936 TAT WENDOW SHADE AND PROCESS OF MAKINGSamuel J. Johnson, Cincinnati, ilhio, assignor to Clopay Corporation,Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application November 30,1934, Serial No. 755,311

Claims.

to curl as a result of its being wound up on the roller. Obviously,these two problems are interrelated inasmuch as the stronger the paper,the greater is its tendency to curl. The problem was solved in AngierPatent No. 1,508,759, which proposed the use of transversely crapedpaper for Window shades and likewise Johnson Patent No. 1,807,533 whichpropose-d running the grain of the paper lengthwise of the shade andbreaking the grain by transverse creasing to eliminate the tendency tocurl.

While these two patents provided highly useful window shades which havebeen manufactured and sold in large quantities, the shades had thelimitation that the craping or embossing of the paper tended to limitthe variety of decorative efiects which might be obtained.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a window shade ofrequisite strength and devoid of the objectionable tendency to curl inwhich the paper is not physically configurated in such wise as to limitdecorative effects or impart to the shade any particular characteristicappearance.

This invention is based on the determination that it is possible toimpart to the paper the flexibility requisite for its employment as awindow shade material without detracting from its tensile strength tosuch a degree as to inhibit its use for that purpose.

According to the present invention the paper is impregnated with asoftening material, preferably hygroscopic in nature or adapted toretain in the paper a moisture content which renders it flexible andlimp. An adhesive may be incorporated with the softening agent toprovide greater strength.

While shades made of paper appropriately softened are suitable for manycommercial uses, it is the further purpose of this invention to providea secondary treatment for the impregnated paper which accomplishes oneor preferably all of the following functions:

1. Reduces the rate of exchange of moisture between'the paper of theshade and the atmosphere;

2. Provides a finish and appearance which is pleasing to the eye;

3. Provides a finish which is susceptible to hard scrubbing for cleaningpurposes without impairment of the appearance of the shade.

The shades so treated do not differ materially in appearance from thebest grade of cloth window shades and if desired the surface of thepaper may be given a very light surface embossing not sufficient tobreak the grain of the paper to increase the visual simulation of acloth shade.

The problem of producing window shades of these properties is inherentlya difiicult one for 15 the reason that the use of a moisture retainingmaterial is necessary for impregnating the paper to remove its tendencyto curl whereas a moisture repellant material is desirable as a finishto reduce the tendency of the moisture content of the paper to fluctuatewith the humidity of the surrounding atmosphere. Moisture receptive andmoisture repellant materials do not blend or bond readily and it istherefore difficult to place a finish on the shade sufliciently securelyto enable it to withstand the repeated flexing incidental to raising andlowering the shade on its roller.

The invention therefore comprehends a method of fabricating the shadecharacterized by a moisture retentive and impregnating medium and amoisture repellant exterior finish.

In fabricating the window shades of this invention, a length of paper isimpregnated with hygroscopic material. This is normally accomplished bymaking an aqueous solution of the hygroscopic material and passing thepaper through it. In order to increase the strength of the paper, it isrecommended that a water soluble adhesive be used in this solution. Thehygroscopic material employed may be glycerine, a concentrated invert 4Osugar solution, or calcium chloride. The adhesive employed may be hideglue, casein glue, or the like. Generallyspeaking, the paper is given animpregnation which results in an increase of substantia1ly 15 to 25% inweight when a glycerine or invert sugar is employed. Approximately 3,10% increase in weight is recommended if calcium chloride is used. Animpregnating bath which has been found to give good results consists of1 part glue, 7 parts water and 7 parts glycerine.

A length of paper is passed slowly through this solution, then drieduntil the moisture content of the paper is approximately 4 to 8%. Themois ture content of the finished sheet tends to vary with atmosphericconditions but a sheet of paper so treated is more hygroscopic inrelation to moisture than an ordinary sheet of paper and iscomparatively limp and flexible. The water soluble adhesive tends toimpart greater strength to the paper than it would have otherwise andits use is therefore recommended.

If a Washable or water-proof shade is not desirable, the impregnatedpaper may befabricated into the finished shade ,with or without theapplication of additional coatings to impart color or other ornamentaleffects. If, however, it is desirable to make a better grade of shadecharacterized by durability, washability and attractive texture, an oilfinish is employed. In order to get a good bond between the impregnatedpaper and the proposed finish, it is desirable to work up the oil finishinto the form of an emulsion so that it wets and intimately contacts theimpregnated paper. Broadly speaking, the finish comprises a drying oil,an emulsifying agent with or without the addition of pigments, fillers,driers, gums, resins and special bodies adapted to provide theparticular textures or characteristic visual appearance. Many difierentemulsifying .agents may be used inasmuch as it is not necessary to havea permanent emulsion but merely a relatively fine temporary suspensionof the oil finish in relation to an aqueous liquid to secure the desiredwetting or binding action at the instant of the application of thefinish to the impregnated paper. For instance, a finely divided inertpigment may be used which likewise serves the purpose of rendering theshade more opaque. An example of a finish which may be used is asfollows:

200 pounds of water 200 pounds of kaolin clay 150 pounds boiled linseedoil 75 pounds lithopone 10 gallons naphtha 1 quart ammonia 12 poundspigment ground in linseed oil /z2% manganese drier Other inert fillersmay be used in place of the kaolin clay. Boiled China-wood oil, boiledfish oil, or other drying oils may be substituted in whole or in partfor the boiled linseed oil. In place of the lithopone, white lead ortitanium oxide may be used. In place of the naphtha, toluol or othervolatile coal tar or petroleum distillates may be employed. The pigmentground in oil may be selected from the wellknownmineralpigments, theexact quantity used depending upon the color strength of the specificpigment and the desired color of the finished shade. Since these bodies.are mixed up into a very crude emulsion or suspension and applied inthat condition before there has been time for any of the ingredients tosettle out, the proportioning of the components is not highly critical.Generally speaking, any of the quantities may be varied 20% in eitherdirection, the selection of specific ingredients and proportions inrelation to the type of paper beingtreated, the type of coatingmachinery being used, and the type of drying apparatus available beingwithin the skill of the art of manufacturers of industrial finishes.

After the paper has been coated with the finishing material, it isheated at a temperature of to F. for a period of 90 to 12.0 minutes. Theexact times and temperature must, of course, necessarily vary with theprecise nature of the ingredients constituting the coating or finish.

Generally speaking, the time of drying must be greater if a lowtemperature is used.

Since it is highly desirable as a commercial matter to fabricate windowshades of this nature on machinery by passing a longweb of spaperprogressively through impregnating, coating and drying apparatus, it isrecommended that the composition of the coating material employed be sochosen that it dries in a relatively brief period at a temperature justunder that which might be harmful to the properties of the paper. Theformulae herein provided have been chosen to provide a relatively rapiddrying at about this temperature.

When a coating material of this nature is used to surface paper whichhas been softened by glycerine or the like, a very flexible productresults. Since the paper is very limpit tends to yield evenly topressure and does not place undue stress on the coating over a localizedarea. If, on the other hand, the paper were not softened, it would tendto bend sharply at certain points and crack the exterior coating. Thecombination of the paper holding a softening agent interstitially andthe coating of drying oils and pigment applied as an emulsion, providesan article which is relatively durable, possessed of the requisitestrength for a window shade, yet not inclined to curl or crack. Theprocess herein disclosed permits the use of a continuous process oftreating the paper and consequently 10w unit cost per article. At thesame time, the article possesses the appearance of a good grade clothshade and also the capacity to be washed with soap and Water.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, Figure 1- shows the window shadeof this invention applied to a window.

Figure 2 is a cross section through the shade of Figure 1 taken on theline 2-2.

Figure 3 is an enlarged sectional view showing the coating or sizing ofthe treated paper.

In Figure 1 the shade of this invention, generally indicated by l, isshown supported by a shade roller 2 of usual construction which ismounted to a window frame 3 by means of brackets 4-4. As disclosed inFigure 2, the paper shade I is secured to the shade roll 2 by the use ofan adhesively coated strip 5, one portion of which is secured to theshade roll and the other portion of which is secured to the paper of theshade. This method of mounting the paper shade to the roller facilitatesaccurate longitudinal disposition and prevents any tendency of the paperto tear at the points of greatest stress which would ordinarily occurwith tacks or staples.

At the lower end of the paper shade a wooden strip 6 is disposed withina seamed loop. One method of constituting the stiffener strip loopcomprises overlapping the lower edge and back- .wardly folding theoverlapped edge toward the paper so that the actual paper edge isconcealed, and stitching the overlapped portion, as indicated by '7, tothe adjacent paper to form a hem which will receive the stiffener strip.A hem constituted in this manner does not exhibit any tend-- ency totear along the stitching perforations. A draw cord 8 may be fastened tothe shade through the stiffener strip in the usual manner.

The preferred shade of this invention is strong, highly flexible,pleasing in appearance, pleasant to the touch, suitable for use in allclimates under all conditions of temperature and humidity, and

readily washable. This latter quality is some .;hat 75 a function of thetype coating material used, but if the formulae suggested be employed,lead pencil marks, dirt, greasy soil, and the like, may be removed byscrubbing the shade with soap, water and a brush without impairing itsappearance or even affecting the uniformity of its transmission oflight.

Having described my invention, I desire to be limited only by theensuing claims:

1. A continuous process of making window shade sheeting which processconsists in impregnating paper with a softening agent interstitially,and then coating. said paper with an aqueous emulsion of .drying oilsand pigments, then drying said coating whereby to provide an articlewhich is possessed of the capacity to be washed with soap and water,which is relatively durable,

which is possessed of the strength requisite in window shades but whichis not inclined to curl or crack.

2. A continuous process for making window shade sheeting which processconsists in impregnating paper with a softening agent adapted to combinewith said paper interstitially, then coating said paper with an aqueousemulsion comprised of drying oils and pigment suspended therein, thesaid emulsion adapted to provide a moisture repellent coating on saidpaper which is appropriately adherent thereto, then drying said coating,whereby to provide an article which is possessed of the capacity to bewashed with soap and water which is relatively durable, and which ispossessed of the strength requisite in window shades, but which is notinclined to curl or crack.

3. As a new article of manufacture, a paper window shade which is notinclined'to curl or crack, but which is relatively durable, strong, andwashable with soap and water, said shade constituted by impregnatingpaper with a softening agent such as glycerin adapted to combinetherewith interstitially, then coating with an aqueous emulsion ofdrying oils and pigment which is adapted to provide a moisture repellentcoating on said paper which is flexible, then drying said paper.

4. As a new article of manufacture, ,a window shade produced by theprocess defined in claim 1.

5. A continuous process of making sheeting particularly adapted to usefor window shades which process consists in impregnating paper with asoftening agent which is hygroscopic, then coating said paper with anaqueous emulsion of drying oils, the coating emulsion adapted tointimately contact said impregnated paper, then drying said coatingwhereby to provide an article which is possessed of the capacity to bewashed with soap and water which is relatively durable and whichispossessed of the strength requisite in window shades, but which is notinclined to curl or crack.

SAMUEL J. JOHNSON.

